Pete Van Soelen, of Grinnell, passed onto glory on Mar. 1, 2026, at the advanced age of 98 years. Visitation with family present will be 4-6 p.m., Friday, Mar. 6, at Sully Community Church. Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Mar. 7, at Sully Christian Reformed Church. Interment will be in Sully Cemetery. Memorials can be given to Sully Christian School or World Renew.
Peter Cornelius “Pete” Van Soelen was born Nov. 19, 1927, in Sully. He was the first of 10 children born to Marion and Hattie (Van Hal) Van Soelen. Pete attended country school through the eighth grade. Pete was inducted into the United States Army on Jan. 30, 1951, and was honorably discharged on Jan. 20, 1953, after serving as a Private First Class who was deployed to Korea during the Korean War. He was awarded a Bronze Star and the United Nations Service Medal. Dec. 14, 1956, he was united in marriage with Gladys Delena Ver Meer in Pella. To this union, four children were born: Michael Peter, Kenneth Dean, Carol Diane, and James Allen. Pete had many jobs in his early life as a farmhand, shelled corn, worked at Fleck Feed & Grain, and other jobs. He finally rented farm ground and became a farmer. He also purchased rock trucks with which he hauled lime and rock. He was a very hard worker and prided himself on keeping his farmland neat and was declared the best rock spreader around by many of his clients and farmers. He retired from farming, but he kept on trucking until the age of 88. Gladie passed away Apr. 24, 1999, at the age of 67 years. She had battled for nearly 10 years following being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Pete clung to his faith as his family endured her long illness with a great deal of faith and devotion. Pete found tremendous support by Sully Christian Reformed Church, being a lifelong member and at the time of his death he was the oldest male member of the church. In 2020, Pete became a resident of St. Francis Manor in Grinnell.
Those left to honor his legacy include his four children and their families: Mike (Marlene) Van Soelen of Sully, Ken (Lorie) Van Soelen of Sully, Carol (Tim) Merical of Grinnell, and Jim (Ruth) Van Soelen of Pella; 10 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren. Of Pete’s original family, he leaves his siblings Marion Van Soelen of Hull, Robert (Marilyn) Van Soelen of Lynnville, Frank (Karen) Van Soelen of Sully, and Betty Nikkel of Newton; and brother-in-law Marvin Ver Meer of Knoxville.
Pete was preceded in death by his wife Gladie; his parents; his siblings Jennie (William) Branderhorst, Case (Leona) Van Soelen, Gertrude Van Soelen, Martha (Al) Weg, Henrietta (Harlan) Terpstra, and Jan Van Soelen; and two great-granddaughters Kaylinn and Kinslee Van Soelen.
Pete was a quiet man of faith who worked hard and loved his family. He could be a little grumpy, but if you needed anything, he would be more than willing to help his family, but they did have to listen to some advice first!
